Pepper hybrid sv2040pb

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to the development of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and theinbred pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits ina single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any traitdeemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield,resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, andnutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derivedtherefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes.The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those havecommercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a pepper plant of thehybrid designated SV2040PB, the pepper line SBR-E710374 or pepper lineSBR-99-1333. Also provided are pepper plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant. Partsof these pepper plants are also provided, for example, including pollen,an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid SV2040PBand/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 comprising an addedheritable trait is provided. The heritable trait may comprise a geneticlocus that is, for example, a dominant or recessive allele. In oneembodiment of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and/orpepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 is defined as comprising asingle locus conversion. In specific embodiments of the invention, anadded genetic locus confers one or more traits such as, for example,herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism. In further embodiments, the trait may beconferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome of aline by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgeneintroduced through genetic transformation techniques into the plant or aprogenitor of any previous generation thereof. When introduced throughtransformation, a genetic locus may comprise one or more genesintegrated at a single chromosomal location.

The invention also concerns the seed of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and/orpepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333. The pepper seed of theinvention may be provided as an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper seed of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374and SBR-99-1333. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed aregenerally free from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seedof hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 maybe defined as forming at least about 97% of the total seed, including atleast about 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seed population may beseparately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper plants designated SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 andSBR-99-1333.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a pepper plant of hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper linesSBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 is provided. The tissue culture willpreferably be capable of regenerating pepper plants capable ofexpressing all of the physiological and morphological characteristics ofthe starting plant, and of regenerating plants having substantially thesame genotype as the starting plant. Examples of some of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the hybrid SV2040PBand/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 include those traits setforth in the tables herein. The regenerable cells in such tissuecultures may be derived, for example, from embryos, meristems,cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistils, flowers,seed and stalks. Still further, the present invention provides pepperplants regenerated from a tissue culture of the invention, the plantshaving all the physiological and morphological characteristics of hybridSV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing pepper seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent pepper plant with a second parentpepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent pepperplants is a plant of pepper line SBR-E710374 or pepper line SBR-99-1333.These processes may be further exemplified as processes for preparinghybrid pepper seed or plants, wherein a first pepper plant is crossedwith a second pepper plant of a different, distinct genotype to providea hybrid that has, as one of its parents, a plant of pepper lineSBR-E710374 or pepper line SBR-99-1333. In these processes, crossingwill result in the production of seed. The seed production occursregardless of whether the seed is collected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent pepper plant,often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediatedby insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually.Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without theneed for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent pepper plants into plants that bear flowers. A third stepmay comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent pepper plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent pepper plants. Theharvested seed can be grown to produce a pepper plant or hybrid pepperplant.

The present invention also provides the pepper seeds and plants producedby a process that comprises crossing a first parent pepper plant with asecond parent pepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or secondparent pepper plants is a plant of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepperlines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333. In one embodiment of the invention,pepper seed and plants produced by the process are first generation (F₁)hybrid pepper seed and plants produced by crossing a plant in accordancewith the invention with another, distinct plant. The present inventionfurther contemplates plant parts of such an F₁ hybrid pepper plant, andmethods of use thereof. Therefore, certain exemplary embodiments of theinvention provide an F₁ hybrid pepper plant and seed thereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper linesSBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333, the method comprising the steps of: (a)preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepperlines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333, wherein said preparing comprisescrossing a plant of the hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374and SBR-99-1333 with a second plant; and (b) crossing the progeny plantwith itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of asubsequent generation. In further embodiments, the method mayadditionally comprise: (c) growing a progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration from said seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generationand crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself ora second plant; and repeating the steps for an additional 3-10generations to produce a plant derived from hybrid SV2040PB and/orpepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333. The plant derived from hybridSV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 may be aninbred line, and the aforementioned repeated crossing steps may bedefined as comprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line.In the method, it may be desirable to select particular plants resultingfrom step (c) for continued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). Byselecting plants having one or more desirable traits, a plant derivedfrom hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 isobtained which possesses some of the desirable traits of the line/hybridas well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of pepperhybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333, whereinthe plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting at leastone pepper from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement ofpepper hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is used to refer to theaggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression of which sequencesdefines the phenotype of, in the present case, a pepper plant, or a cellor tissue of that plant. A genetic complement thus represents thegenetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and a hybrid geneticcomplement represents the genetic make up of a hybrid cell, tissue orplant. The invention thus provides pepper plant cells that have agenetic complement in accordance with the pepper plant cells disclosedherein, and seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that hybrid SV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374and SBR-99-1333 could be identified by any of the many well knowntechniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990),Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified FragmentLength Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety), and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by pepper plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a pepper plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second pepper plant, preferably, another, distinctpepper plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pepperplant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid geneticcomplement of this invention.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of theinvention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unlessspecifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standarddeviation of the mean for the device or method being employed todetermine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used tomean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives onlyor the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunctionwith the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, thewords “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically notedotherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-endedlinking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, suchas “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and“including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that“comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited topossessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlistedsteps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one ormore traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traitsand covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and any specificexamples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of pepper hybrid SV2040PB, pepper line SBR-E710374and pepper line SBR-99-1333.

Sweet Bell Pepper Hybrid SV2040PB, also known as 9982040, develops amedium-large anthocyaninless plant that produces fruit that mature froma medium-dark green to red bell pepper shaped fruit. The blocky fruitscommonly express a length to diameter ratio greater than one. Thehybrids set fruits in an extended manner with a similar distribution tothe commercial hybrid PX-09942815 although the plant is more uprightthan that in PX 9942815 and the initial fruit set (crown set) is moreconsistent than that of PX 09942815. Hybrid SV2040PB tends to expresslower levels of epidermal separation than PX 09942815. The hybrid isresistant to bacterial leaf spot (BLS) races (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9 and 10) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv 0-10),Tobamo virus pathotype P0 (Tm0), and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).The hybrid is intended for open field production. The main use of thishybrid would be in areas that could be affected by Xcv 0-10. Currentlyraces 4 and 6 of Xcv severely limit production in certain areas of theSE USA, particularly Georgia and Florida. Without resistance to Xcv 0-10it may be impossible to prevent heavy infection under environmentalconditions that favor BLS. It is believed that there are currently fourcommercially available hybrids with Xcv 0-10 resistance, “PX-09942815”,“PX-09954288”, “PX-09979325”, and SV3255PB. The first two hybrids,“9942815” and “9954288”, possess resistance to TSWV and are best adaptedto Georgia while SV3255PB is best adapted to Florida. “PX-09979325”produces a very concentrated set and less leaf coverage than SV2040PB.

Primary target region is Georgia and possibly North Carolina. Thedisease resistances to Xcv 0-10 and TSWV are particularly important inGeorgia. The deep fruit shape (LD>1) obviates undesirable short orflat-shaped fruit by definition.

Parental line SBR-E710374 is an anthocyaninless line that develops amedium-large plant and produces a firm, very large, blocky, medium-darkgreen fruit that matures to a red color. The moderately smooth fruitexpresses medium to deep shoulders. The line displays resistance tobacterial leaf spot races 0 through 10 caused by Xanthomonas campestrispv. vesicatoria (Xcv; bs5 gene) and also resistance to the TomatoSpotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). The line contains the Bs2 and Bs3 genes.

The most similar commercial variety to SBR-E710374 is believed to beEarly California Wonder. The characteristics which best describe thedifferences between the two include, but may not be limited to are:

-   -   SBR-E710374 is resistant to races 0 through 10 of Xcv (conferred        by the bs₅ gene). Early-California Wonder lacks this gene and is        susceptible.    -   SBR-E710374 is anthocyaninless while Early California Wonder        expresses anthocyanin in its fruit and stem.    -   SBR-E710374 is resistant to TSWV while Early California Wonder        is susceptible.    -   SBR-E710374 contains both the Bs2 and the Bs3 genes while Early        California Wonder lacks these genes.

Parental line SBR-E710374 has been observed as uniform and stable overtwo generations during the three years and it is within commerciallyacceptable limits. As is true with other sweet pepper inbreds, a smallpercentage of variants can occur within commercially acceptable limitsfor almost any characteristic during the course of repeatedmultiplication. However, no known variants were observed during thetimes that SBR-E710374 was observed in 13 field trials and six times itwas observed in green house trials.

Parental line SBR 99-1333 develops a medium-sized plant that produces aheavy set of smooth, firm, deep (length: diameter (LD)>1), dark green,medium-large-sized fruit. The fruit mature to a red fruit with aconsistent blocky shape. The line is resistant to the Tobacco mosaicvirus pathotype P₀ (Tm0; L₁ gene). It is also resistant to bacterialleaf spot races 0 through 10 caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv.vesicatoria (Xcv; bs₅ gene).

The most similar commercial variety to SBR 99-1333 is believed to beEarly California Wonder. The characteristics which best describe thedifferences between the two include (but may not be limited to):

-   -   SBR 99-1333 is resistant to races 0 through 10 of Xcv (conferred        by the bs₅ gene). Early California Wonder lacks this gene and is        susceptible.    -   SBR 99-1333 is resistant to Tm0 (L₁ gene). Early California        Wonder lacks this gene and is susceptible.    -   SBR 99-1333 is anthocyaninless while Early California Wonder        lacks this gene and can show anthocyanin on fruit.    -   SBR 99-1333 is contains the BS3 gene while Early California        Wonder lacks this gene.

Observations made during three generations of reproduction and seedincrease over three years indicate that SBR 99-1333 is uniform andstable within commercially acceptable limits. As is true with othersweet pepper inbred lines, a small percentage of off-types can occurwithin commercially acceptable limits for almost any characteristicduring the course of repeated multiplication. However no variants werefound during the six field and six green house trials in which SBR99-1333 has been observed.

A. ORIGIN AND BREEDING HISTORY OF PEPPER HYBRID SV2040PB

The parents of hybrid SV2040PB are SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333. Theparent lines are uniform and stable, as is a hybrid produced therefrom.A small percentage of variants can occur within commercially acceptablelimits for almost any characteristic during the course of repeatedmultiplication. However no variants are expected.

B. PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PEPPER HYBRIDSV2040PB, PEPPER LINE SBR-E710374 AND PEPPER LINE SBR-99-1333

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and the parent lines thereof.A description of the physiological and morphological characteristics ofsuch plants is presented in Tables 1-3.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of HybridSV2040PB CHARACTERISTIC SV2040PB Early Cal Wonder 1. Species C. annuumannuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) days fromtransplanting until 49 59 mature green stage days from transplantinguntil 85 105 mature red or yellow stage days from direct seeding until92 102 mature green stage days from direct seeding until 128 148 maturered or yellow stage 3. Plant habit semi-spreading semi-spreadingattitude upright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux tres long desLandes, Piquant d'Algerie) plant height 51.7 cm 39.8 cm plant width 54.9cm 54.3 cm length of stem from cotyledon 15.1 cm 10.6 cm to first flowerlength of the third internode 83 mm 70 mm (from soil surface) length ofstem medium (Belsir, short Lamuyo) shortened internode (in upper present(Feher, Kalocsai present part) 601, Kalocsai 702) number of internodesbetween one to three (Feher) one to three the first flower and theshortened internodes (For varieties without shortened internodes only).stem: hairiness of nodes weak (Andevalo, absent or very weak Clovis)height short (Albaregia) short basal branches few (2-3) few branchflexibility willowy (Cayenne Long willowy Red) stem strength (breakagestrong strong resistance) 4. Leaf length of blade medium (Atol, Blondy,long Marconi, Merit, Anthea) width of blade broad (California mediumwonder, Golden calwonder, Seifor, Solario) width 67.2 mm 51.8 mm length100.2 mm 129 mm petiole length 84.1 mm 80.9 mm color dark green darkgreen color (RHS Color Chart value) 137A 137A intensity of green colordark (Dolmy, Tinto) dark mature leaf shape ovate (Balico, Sonar)lanceolate leaf and stem pubescence absent absent undulation of marginvery weak absent blistering strong (Greygo, PAZ very weak pallagi)profile in cross section strongly concave moderately concave (Slavy)glossiness very weak (Diavolo) very weak 5. Flower peduncle: attitudesemi-drooping (Blondy) erect flowers per leaf axil 1 1 calyx lobes 6.8 7petals 6.9 7.1 diameter 29.7 mm 30 mm corolla color white white corollathroat markings yellow white anther color yellow yellow style lengthexceeds stamen exceeds stamen self-incompatibility present absent 6.Fruit group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) color (beforematurity) green (California green wonder, Lamuyo) intensity of color(before dark light maturity) immature fruit color dark green light greenimmature fruit color (RHS 139A 144A Color Chart value) attitude/positiondrooping/pendent (De erect/upright Cayenne, Lamuyo) length long (Douxd'Espagne, medium Majister) diameter very broad (Floridor, mediumIbleor, Inca, Joly rosso, Quadrato d'Asti, Surpas) ratio length/diametermedium (Adra, Cherry small Sweet, Daniel, Delphin, Edino) calyx diameter28.4 mm 33.9 mm fruit length 81.7 mm 73.4 mm fruit diameter at calyx60.5 mm 64.2 mm attachment fruit diameter at mid-point 76.8 mm 69.4 mmflesh thickness at mid-point 6.3 mm 4.4 mm average number of fruits per9.2 10.4 plant % large fruits 52.50% weight range: 33.70% weight range:101 to 200 101 to 200 % medium fruits 38.80% weight range: 39.40% weightrange: 51 to 100 51 to 100 % small fruits 8.60% weight range: 33.70%weight range: 1 to 50 1 to 50 average fruit weight 120.4 gm 79.8 gmfruit shape (longitudinal square (Delphin, Yolo square section) Wonder)fruit shape (cross section, at angular/tri-angular quad-rangular levelof placenta) (Vinedale) sinuation of pericarp at basal weak (Donat)medium part sinuation of pericarp excluding weak (Clovis, Sonar) weakbasal part texture of surface smooth or very slightly smooth or verywrinkled (Milord) slightly wrinkled color (at maturity) red (Feher,Lamuyo) red intensity of color (at maturity) dark dark mature fruitcolor red red mature fruit color (RHS Color 45A N34A Chart value)glossiness strong (Doux italien, shiny Trophy) stalk cavity present(Bingor, present Lamuyo) depth of stalk cavity deep (Osir, Quadratomedium D'Asti rosso, Surpas) pedicel length 38.6 mm 23.4 mm pedicelthickness 9.4 mm 7.2 mm pedicel shape curved straight pedicel cavitypresent present depth of pedicel cavity 22.7 mm 18.5 mm stalk: lengthlong (De Cayenne, medium Sierra Nevada, Sweet banana) stalk: thicknessthick (Lamuyo, Trophy medium Palio) base shape cupped cupped shape ofapex moderately depressed moderately depressed (Quadrato a'Asti rosso)shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Oblate (Sunnybrook) set concentratedconcentrated depth of interloculary grooves deep (Majister, Surpas)medium number of locules equally three and four equally three and four(Lamuyo, Sonar) % fruits with one locule    0% 0% % fruits with twolocules    0% 0% % fruits with three locules 26.70% 46%  % fruits withfour locules 66.70% 54%  % fruits with five or more  6.70% 0% loculesaverage number of locules 3.8 3.5 thickness of flesh thick (Andevalo,medium Bingor, Daniel, Topgirl) calyx: aspect non-enveloping/non-enveloping/ saucer-shaped saucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungencysweet sweet capsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) absent flavor strongpepper flavor strong pepper flavor glossiness shiny shiny 7. Seed seedcavity length 72.5 mm 62.6 mm seed cavity diameter 63.9 mm 65.1 mmplacenta length 42.5 mm 25 mm number of seeds per fruit 113 65.2 gramsper 1000 seeds 7 gm 5 gm color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin colorationof: hypocotyl absent (Albaregia, moderate Albena) stem absent absentnodes absent (Albaregia) moderate intensity of anthocyanin medium(Clovis, strong coloration of nodes Lamuyo, Sonar) leaf absent absentpedicel absent absent calyx absent absent anther absent (Danza) presentanthocyanin coloration absent (Lamuyo) moderate beginning of flowering(1^(st) early (Carre doux extra late flower on 2^(nd) flowering node)hatif, Cupido, Feher, Flaviano, Lito, Trophy) time of maturity early(Feher, Lady Bell, medium Topgirl) *These are typical values. Values mayvary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalentare also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of LineSBR-E710374 CHARACTERISTIC SBR-E710374 Early Cal Wonder 1. Species C.annuum annuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) days fromtransplanting until 65 59 mature green stage days from transplantinguntil 90 97 mature red or yellow stage days from direct seeding until104 98 mature green stage days from direct seeding until 129 136 maturered or yellow stage 3. Plant habit compact compact attitudeupright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux tres long des Landes,Piquant d'Algerie) plant height 53.2 cm 42.6 cm plant width 51.2 cm 50.0cm length of stem from cotyledon 15.2 cm 12.2 cm to first flower lengthof the third internode 91.5 mm 69 mm (from soil surface) length of stemshort (Delphin, Trophy) short shortened internode (in upper present(Feher, Kalocsai present part) 602, Kalocsai 702) number of internodesbetween one to three (Feher) one to three the first flower and theshortened internodes stem: hairiness of nodes absent or very weak absentor very weak (Arlequin) height medium (HRF) medium basal branches few(2-3) none branch flexibility willowy (Cayenne Long willowy Red) stemstrength (breakage strong strong resistance) 4. Leaf length of bladevery long (Predi, long Solario) width of blade broad (California broadwonder, Golden calwonder, Seifor, Solario) width 68.5 mm 64 mm length124.2 mm 136.7 mm petiole length 61 mm 73.0 mm color dark green darkgreen color (RHS Color Chart value) 147A 137A intensity of green colordark (Dolmy, Tinto) dark mature leaf shape ovate (Balico, Sonar) ovateleaf and stem pubescence absent absent undulation of margin medium(Tenor) medium blistering strong (Greygo, PAZ medium pallagi) profile incross section moderately concave moderately concave (Doux italien,Favolor) glossiness medium (Alby, Eolo) medium 5. Flower peduncle:attitude erect (Feher, Red Chili) erect flowers per leaf axil 1 1 calyxlobes 6.7 6.8 petals 6.8 7 diameter 29.0 mm 31.3 mm corolla color whitewhite corolla throat markings yellow yellow anther color yellow purplestyle length exceeds stamen exceeds stamen self-incompatibility presentpresent 6. Fruit group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) color(before maturity) green (California green wonder, Lamuyo) intensity ofcolor (before dark dark maturity) immature fruit color dark green darkgreen immature fruit color (RHS 143A 144A Color Chart value)attitude/position drooping/pendent (De erect/upright Cayenne, Lamuyo)length long (Doux d'Espagne, medium Majister) diameter broad (Clovis,Lamuyo) broad ratio length/diameter large (Heldor, Lamuyo, smallMagister, Tenno, Vidi) calyx diameter 30.9 mm 33.9 mm fruit length 83.7mm 75.7 mm fruit diameter at calyx 70.4 mm 69.0 mm attachment fruitdiameter at mid-point 70.7 mm 75.2 mm flesh thickness at mid-point 4.8mm 5.5 mm average number of fruits per 8.3 10.7 plant % large fruits16.10% weight range: 35.30% weight range: 100.5 to 220 100.5 to 205 %medium fruits 33.60% weight range: 36.10% weight range: 51 to 99.5 51 to99.5 % small fruits 41.90% weight range: 32% weight range: 1 to 50 1 to50 average fruit weight 66.6 gm 81.1 gm fruit shape (longitudinaltrapezoidal (Delta, square section) Piperade) fruit shape (crosssection, at circular (Cherry Sweet, angular/tri-angular level ofplacenta) Doux tres long des Landes) sinuation of pericarp at basal weak(Donat) weak part sinuation of pericarp excluding weak (Clovis, Sonar)weak basal part texture of surface smooth or very slightly smooth orvery wrinkled (Milord) slightly wrinkled color (at maturity) red (Feher,Lamuyo) red intensity of color (at maturity) dark dark mature fruitcolor red red mature fruit color (RHS Color 43A 45A Chart value)glossiness strong (Doux italien, strong Trophy) stalk cavity present(Bingor, present Lamuyo) depth of stalk cavity very deep (Cancun, mediumCubor, Pablor, Shy Beauty) pedicel length 43.5 mm 26.3 mm pedicelthickness 9.1 mm 7.7 mm pedicel shape curved straight pedicel cavitypresent present depth of pedicel cavity 27 mm 18.0 mm stalk: length long(De Cayenne, medium Sierra Nevada, Sweet banana) stalk: thickness thick(Lamuyo, Trophy thick Palio) base shape cupped cupped shape of apex verydepressed (Kerala, moderately depressed Monte, Osir) shape Bell (YoloWonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) set scattered scattered depth ofinterloculary grooves medium (Clovis, deep Lamuyo, Marconi) number oflocules predominantly four and equally three and four more (Palio, PAZszentesi) % fruits with one locule    0%    0% % fruits with two locules   0%    0% % fruits with three locules  6.70% 36.40% % fruits with fourlocules 66.70% 63.70% % fruits with five or more 26.70%    0% loculesaverage number of locules 4.2 3.6 thickness of flesh medium (Feher,thick Lamuyo) calyx: aspect non-enveloping/ non-enveloping/saucer-shaped saucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungency sweet sweetcapsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) absent flavor strong pepper flavorstrong pepper flavor glossiness shiny shiny 7. Seed seed cavity length73.0 mm 59 mm seed cavity diameter 61.7 mm 63.6 mm placenta length 37.2mm 26.5 mm number of seeds per fruit 71.2 98.6 grams per 1000 seeds 5.1gm 5.1 gm color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin coloration of: hypocotylabsent (Albaregia, absent Albena) stem absent absent nodes absent(Albaregia) weak leaf absent absent pedicel absent absent calyx absentabsent anther absent (Danza) present anthocyanin coloration of fruitabsent (Lamuyo) weak beginning of flowering (1^(st) late (Daniel,Piquant medium flower on 2^(nd) flowering node) d'Algerie, Zingaro) timeof maturity late (Daniel, Doux medium d'Espagne) *These are typicalvalues. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that aresubstantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of LineSBR-99-1333 CHARACTERISTIC SBR-99-1333 Early Cal Wonder 1. Species C.annuum annuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) days fromtransplanting until 64 59 mature green stage days from transplantinguntil 106 97 mature red or yellow stage days from direct seeding until103 98 mature green stage days from direct seeding until 145 136 maturered or yellow stage 3. Plant habit compact compact attitudeupright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux tres long des Landes,Piquant d'Algerie) plant height 52.4 cm 42.6 cm plant width 51.1 cm 50.0cm length of stem from cotyledon 14.8 cm 12.2 cm to first flower lengthof the third internode 78.3 mm 69 mm (from soil surface) length of stemmedium (Belsir, short Lamuyo) shortened internode (in upper absent(California present part) wonder, De Cayenne) length of internode (onprimary medium (Dolmi, side shoots) For varieties Florian, Orias)without shortened internodes only. stem: hairiness of nodes absent orvery weak absent or very weak (Arlequin) height medium (HRF) mediumbasal branches none none branch flexibility willowy (Cayenne Longwillowy Red) stem strength (breakage strong strong resistance) 4. Leaflength of blade long (Cupido, Dolmy, long Encore, Mazurka, Monte widthof blade broad (California broad wonder, Golden calwonder, Seifor,Solario) width 67.2 mm 64 mm length 120.1 mm 136.7 mm petiole length72.9 mm 73.0 mm color dark green dark green color (RHS Color Chartvalue) 147A 137A intensity of green color dark (Dolmy, Tinto) darkmature leaf shape ovate (Balico, Sonar) ovate leaf and stem pubescenceabsent absent undulation of margin medium (Tenor) medium blisteringstrong (Greygo, PAZ medium pallagi) profile in cross section moderatelyconcave moderately concave (Doux italien, Favolor) glossiness medium(Alby, Eolo) medium 5. Flower peduncle: attitude erect (Feher, RedChili) erect flowers per leaf axil 1.2 1 calyx lobes 6.1 6.8 petals 6.57 diameter 29.2 mm 31.3 mm corolla color white white corolla throatmarkings yellow yellow anther color yellow purple style length exceedsstamen exceeds stamen self-incompatibility present present 6. Fruitgroup Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) color (beforematurity) green (California green wonder, Lamuyo) intensity of color(before dark dark maturity) immature fruit color dark green dark greenimmature fruit color (RHS 137A 144A Color Chart value) attitude/positiondrooping/pendent (De erect/upright Cayenne, Lamuyo) length medium(Feher, medium Lamuyo) diameter medium (Doux italien, broad Como ditoro) ratio length/diameter medium (Adra, Cherry small Sweet, Daniel,Delphin, Edino) calyx diameter 32.4 mm 33.9 mm fruit length 66.5 mm 75.7mm fruit diameter at calyx 64.6 mm 69.0 mm attachment fruit diameter atmid-point 73.3 mm 75.2 mm flesh thickness at mid-point 4.6 mm 5.5 mmaverage number of fruits per 11.8 10.7 plant % large fruits 16.70%weight range: 35.30% weight range: 100.5 to 200 100.5 to 205 % mediumfruits 31.30% weight range: 36.10% weight range: 51 to 99.5 51 to 99.5 %small fruits 51.80% weight range: 32% weight range: 1 to 50 1 to 50average fruit weight 61 gm 81.1 gm fruit shape (longitudinal square(Delphin, Yolo square section) Wonder) fruit shape (cross section, atcircular (Cherry Sweet, angular/tri-angular level of placenta) Doux treslong des Landes) sinuation of pericarp at basal weak (Donat) weak partsinuation of pericarp excluding weak (Clovis, Sonar) weak basal parttexture of surface smooth or very slightly smooth or very wrinkled(Milord) slightly wrinkled color (at maturity) red (Feher, Lamuyo) redintensity of color (at maturity) dark dark mature fruit color red redmature fruit color (RHS Color N34A 45A Chart value) glossiness strong(Doux italien, strong Trophy) stalk cavity present (Bingor, presentLamuyo) depth of stalk cavity medium (Lamuyo, medium Magister) pedicellength 35.2 mm 26.3 mm pedicel thickness 8.0 mm 7.7 mm pedicel shapecurved straight pedicel cavity present present depth of pedicel cavity17.3 mm 18.0 mm stalk: length long (De Cayenne, medium Sierra Nevada,Sweet banana) stalk: thickness thick (Lamuyo, Trophy thick Palio) baseshape cupped cupped shape of apex moderately depressed moderatelydepressed (Quadrato a'Asti rosso) shape Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (YoloWonder L.) set scattered scattered depth of interloculary grooves medium(Clovis, deep Lamuyo, Marconi) number of locules predominantly four andequally three and four more (Palio, PAZ szentesi) % fruits with onelocule 0% 0% % fruits with two locules 0% 0% % fruits with three locules3% 36.40%    % fruits with four locules 68.70%    63.70%    % fruitswith five or more 30.00%    0% locules average number of locules 4.2 3.6thickness of flesh thick (Andevalo, thick Bingor, Daniel, Topgirl)calyx: aspect non-enveloping/ non-enveloping/ saucer-shapedsaucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungency sweet sweet capsaicin in placentaabsent (Sonar) absent flavor strong pepper flavor strong pepper flavorglossiness shiny shiny 7. Seed seed cavity length 53.1 mm 59 mm seedcavity diameter 65.3 mm 63.6 mm placenta length 25.1 mm 26.5 mm numberof seeds per fruit 41.2 98.6 grams per 1000 seeds 5.9 gm 5.1 gm coloryellow yellow 8. Anthocyanin coloration of: hypocotyl absent (Albaregia,absent Albena) stem absent absent nodes absent (Albaregia) weak leafabsent absent pedicel absent absent calyx absent absent anther absent(Danza) present anthocyanin coloration absent (Lamuyo) weak beginning offlowering (1^(st) late (Daniel, Piquant medium flower on 2^(nd)flowering node) d'Algerie, Zingaro) time of maturity early (Feher, LadyBell, medium Top girl) *These are typical values. Values may vary due toenvironment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are alsowithin the scope of the invention.

C. BREEDING PEPPER PLANTS

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seedof pepper hybrid SV2040PB involving crossing pepper lines SBR-E710374and SBR-99-1333. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention,hybrid SV2040PB, line SBR-E710374, or line SBR-99-1333 may be crossedwith itself or with any second plant. Such methods can be used forpropagation of hybrid SV2040PB and/or the pepper lines SBR-E710374 andSBR-99-1333, or can be used to produce plants that are derived fromhybrid SV2040PB and/or the pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333.Plants derived from hybrid SV2040PB and/or the pepper lines SBR-E710374and SBR-99-1333 may be used, in certain embodiments, for the developmentof new pepper varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing hybrid SV2040PB followed by multiplegenerations of breeding according to such well known methods. Newvarieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selectingsuch a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines,it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibitone or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit thedesired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initialcrosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to producenew varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or moregenerations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plantof the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristicbeing transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almostall other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to givepure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plants of the present invention are particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross withSV2040PB and/or pepper lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 for the purposeof developing novel pepper lines, it will typically be preferred tochoose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selecteddesirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s)when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirable traits may include, inspecific embodiments, high seed yield, high seed germination, seedlingvigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance or resistance, andadaptability for soil and climate conditions. Consumer-driven traits,such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and taste are other examples oftraits that may be incorporated into new lines of pepper plantsdeveloped by this invention.

D. FURTHER EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein areprovided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait.Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant viathe backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant asused herein refers to those pepper plants which are developed by a plantbreeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the varietyvia the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristicsof a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in thesame environment, other than an occasional variant trait that mightarise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentalpepper plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristicis termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers tothe fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcrossprotocol and therefore does not recur. The parental pepper plant towhich the locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred isknown as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in thebackcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a pepper plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the convertedplant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrentparent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive anddominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessaryto introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny pepper plants of a backcross in which a plantdescribed herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired traitfrom the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of pepper the recurrent parent asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

With the development of molecular markers associated with particulartraits, it is possible to add additional traits into an established germline, such as represented here, with the end result being substantiallythe same base germplasm with the addition of a new trait or traits.Molecular breeding, as described in Moose and Mumm, 2008 (PlantPhysiology, 147: 969-977), for example, and elsewhere, provides amechanism for integrating single or multiple traits or QTL into an eliteline. This molecular breeding-facilitated movement of a trait or traitsinto an elite line may encompass incorporation of a particular genomicfragment associated with a particular trait of interest into the eliteline by the mechanism of identification of the integrated genomicfragment with the use of flanking or associated marker assays. In theembodiment represented here, one, two, three or four genomic loci, forexample, may be integrated into an elite line via this methodology. Whenthis elite line containing the additional loci is further crossed withanother parental elite line to produce hybrid offspring, it is possibleto then incorporate at least eight separate additional loci into thehybrid. These additional loci may confer, for example, such traits as adisease resistance or a fruit quality trait. In one embodiment, eachlocus may confer a separate trait. In another embodiment, loci may needto be homozygous and exist in each parent line to confer a trait in thehybrid. In yet another embodiment, multiple loci may be combined toconfer a single robust phenotype of a desired trait.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease,insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, andaltered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inheritedthrough the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of thecorresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates anyplants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and onlythose plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross.This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of pepper plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent onthe phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Suchmethods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traitsand variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be moreexpensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of geneticmarkers which could be used in accordance with the invention include,but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990),Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified FragmentLength Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety), and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998).

E. PLANTS DERIVED BY GENETIC ENGINEERING

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may,alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can beintroduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plantsthat are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to manycrop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation,microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation anddirect DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plantcells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles arecoated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so thatthey are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., Bio-Technology, 3(7):637-642, 1985). Moreover, recenttechnological advances in vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated genetransfer have improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites inthe vectors to facilitate the construction of vectors capable ofexpressing various polypeptide coding genes. The vectors described haveconvenient multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and apolyadenylation site for direct expression of inserted polypeptidecoding genes. Additionally, Agrobacterium containing both armed anddisarmed Ti genes can be used for transformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., Bio/Technology, 3:629-635, 1985; U.S.Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:183-188, 1985; Omirulleh et al.,Plant Mol. Biol., 21(3):415-428, 1993; Fromm et al., Nature,312:791-793, 1986; Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 204:204, 1986;Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, 1988). Transformation of plants andexpression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(Plant Cell Rep., 13: 344-348, 1994), and Ellul et al. (Theor. Appl.Genet., 107:462-469, 2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expressioninclude, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression inmost plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., Nature, 313:810, 1985),including in monocots (see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., Plant Cell, 2:591,1990; Terada and Shimamoto, Mol. Gen. Genet., 220:389, 1990); a tandemlyduplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35S promoter(P-e35S); 1 the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., Plant Physiol.,88:547, 1988); the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., Plant Cell,1:977, 1989); and the figwort mosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter(P-eFMV) where the promoter sequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem;the cauliflower mosaic virus 19S promoter; a sugarcane bacilliform viruspromoter; a commelina yellow mottle virus promoter; and other plant DNAvirus promoters known to express in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response toenvironmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can alsobe used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells,including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., PlantPhysiol., 88:965, 1988), (2) light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter,Kuhlemeier et al., Plant Cell, 1:471, 1989; maize rbcS promoter,Schaffner and Sheen, Plant Cell, 3:997, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-bindingprotein promoter, Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985), (3) hormones,such as abscisic acid (Marcotte et al., Plant Cell, 1:969, 1989), (4)wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al., Plant Cell, 1:961, 1989); or (5)chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, or Safener. It mayalso be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters (e.g., Roshal etal., EMBO J., 6:1155, 1987; Schernthaner et al., EMBO J., 7:1249, 1988;Bustos et al., Plant Cell, 1:839, 1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of thisinvention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a pepper plant according to theinvention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and correspondingphenotypes one may choose to introduce into a pepper plant include oneor more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis(B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control,herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, andgenes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements,environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plantphysiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). Forexample, structural genes would include any gene that confers insecttolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control proteingene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety. In another embodiment, thestructural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate asconferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strainCP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, orglyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991). The RNA could also be acatalytic RNA molecule (i.e., a ribozyme) engineered to cleave a desiredendogenous mRNA product (see for example, Gibson and Shillito, Mol.Biotech., 7:125, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces a protein or mRNAwhich expresses a phenotype or morphology change of interest is usefulfor the practice of the present invention.

F. DEFINITIONS

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited incodominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygoteare readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e.,heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) color chart value: The RHS color chartis a standardized reference which allows accurate identification of anycolor. A color's designation on the chart describes its hue, brightnessand saturation. A color is precisely named by the RHS color chart byidentifying the group name, sheet number and letter, e.g., Yellow-OrangeGroup 19A or Red Group 41B.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially allof the morphological and physiological characteristics of a peppervariety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the singlelocus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/orby genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a pepper plant by transformation.

G. DEPOSIT INFORMATION

A deposit of pepper hybrid SV2040PB and inbred parent lines SBR-E710374and SBR-99-1333, disclosed above and recited in the claims, has beenmade with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 UniversityBlvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of deposit was Nov. 8, 2013.The accession numbers for those deposited seeds of pepper hybridSV2040PB and inbred parent lines SBR-E710374 and SBR-99-1333 are ATCCAccession No. PTA-120696, ATCC Accession No. PTA-120697, and ATCCAccession No. PTA-120698, respectively. Upon issuance of a patent, allrestrictions upon the deposits will be removed, and the deposits areintended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. Thedeposits will be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years,or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective life of thepatent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if necessary duringthat period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pepper plant comprising at least a first set ofthe chromosomes of pepper line SBR-E710374 or pepper line SBR-99-1333, asample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-120697 and ATCC Accession Number PTA-120698, respectively. 2.A pepper seed comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes ofpepper line SBR-E710374 or pepper line SBR-99-1333, a sample of seed ofsaid lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-120697and ATCC Accession Number PTA-120698, respectively.
 3. The plant ofclaim 1, which is an inbred.
 4. The plant of claim 1, which is a hybrid.5. The seed of claim 2, which is an inbred.
 6. The seed of claim 2,which is a hybrid.
 7. The plant of claim 4, wherein the hybrid plant ispepper hybrid SV2040PB, a sample of seed of said hybrid SV2040PB havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-120696.
 8. The seed ofclaim 6, defined as a seed of pepper hybrid SV2040PB, a sample of seedof said hybrid SV2040PB having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-120696.
 9. The seed of claim 2, defined as a seed of lineSBR-E710374 or line SBR-99-1333.
 10. A plant part of the plant ofclaim
 1. 11. The plant part of claim 10, further defined as a leaf, anovule, pollen, a fruit, or a cell.
 12. A pepper plant having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the pepper plant ofclaim
 7. 13. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of the plant ofclaim
 1. 14. The tissue culture according to claim 13, comprising cellsor protoplasts from a plant part selected from the group consisting ofembryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, roottips, pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 15. A pepper plant regeneratedfrom the tissue culture of claim
 13. 16. A method of vegetativelypropagating the pepper plant of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a)collecting tissue capable of being propagated from the plant accordingto claim 1; (b) cultivating said tissue to obtain proliferated shoots;and (c) rooting said proliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising growing at least a firstpepper plant from said rooted plantlets.
 18. A method of introducing adesired trait into a pepper line comprising: (a) utilizing as arecurrent parent a plant of either pepper line SBR-E710374 or pepperline SBR-99-1333, by crossing a plant of pepper line SBR-E710374 orpepper line SBR-99-1333 with a second donor pepper plant that comprisesa desired trait to produce F1 progeny, a sample of seed of said lineshaving been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-120697, and ATCCAccession Number PTA-120698, respectively; (b) selecting an F1 progenythat comprises the desired trait; (c) backcrossing the selected F1progeny with a plant of the same pepper line used as the recurrentparent in step (a), to produce backcross progeny; (d) selectingbackcross progeny comprising the desired trait and the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the recurrent parent pepper line usedin step (a); and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times toproduce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny that comprise thedesired trait, and otherwise comprise essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parentpepper line used in step (a).
 19. A pepper plant produced by the methodof claim
 18. 20. A method of producing a pepper plant comprising anadded trait, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferringthe trait into a plant of pepper hybrid SV2040PB, pepper lineSBR-E710374 or pepper line SBR-99-1333, a sample of seed of said hybridand lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-120696,ATCC Accession Number PTA-120697, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-120698,respectively.
 21. A pepper plant produced by the method of claim
 20. 22.The plant of claim 1, further comprising a transgene.
 23. The plant ofclaim 22, wherein the transgene confers a trait selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance,pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism,environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism andmodified protein metabolism.
 24. The plant of claim 1, furthercomprising a single locus conversion.
 25. The plant of claim 24, whereinthe single locus conversion confers a trait selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance,pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism,environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism andmodified protein metabolism.
 26. A method for producing a seed of apepper plant derived from at least one of pepper hybrid SV2040PB, pepperline SBR-E710374 or pepper line SBR-99-1333 comprising the steps of: (a)crossing a pepper plant of hybrid SV2040PB, line SBR-E710374 or lineSBR-99-1333 with itself or a second pepper plant; a sample of seed ofsaid hybrid and lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-120696, ATCC Accession Number PTA-120697, and ATCC Accession NumberPTA-120698, respectively; and (b) allowing seed of a hybrid SV2040PB,line SBR-E710374 or line SBR-99-1333-derived pepper plant to form. 27.The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: (c) selfing aplant grown from said hybrid SV2040PB, line SBR-E710374 or lineSBR-99-1333-derived pepper seed to yield additional hybrid SV2040PB,line SBR-E710374 or line SBR-99-1333-derived pepper seed; (d) growingsaid additional hybrid SV2040PB, line SBR-E710374 or lineSBR-99-1333-derived pepper seed of step (c) to yield additional hybridSV2040PB, line SBR-E710374 or line SBR-99-1333-derived pepper plants;and (e) repeating the crossing and growing steps of (c) and (d) togenerate at least a first further hybrid SV2040PB, line SBR-E710374 orline SBR-99-1333-derived pepper plant.
 28. The method of claim 26,wherein the second pepper plant is of an inbred pepper line.
 29. Themethod of claim 26, comprising crossing line SBR-E710374 with lineSBR-99-1333, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited underATCC Accession Number PTA-120697, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-120698,respectively.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprising: (f)crossing the further hybrid SV2040PB, line SBR-E710374 or lineSBR-99-1333-derived pepper plant with a second pepper plant to produceseed of a hybrid progeny plant.
 31. A plant part of the plant of claim7.
 32. The plant part of claim 31, further defined as a leaf, a flower,a fruit, an ovule, pollen, or a cell.
 33. A method of producing a pepperseed comprising crossing the plant of claim 1 with itself or a secondpepper plant and allowing seed to form.
 34. A method of producing apepper fruit comprising: (a) obtaining the plant according to claim 1,wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting atleast one pepper from the plant.